Case studies

Helen Hall of Alderley Edge Symphony Orchestra discusses how the orchestra refreshed itself to attract more members and increase audiences.

Background

Our orchestra had been running since 1922. However, over recent years the audiences have been small and the usual programme of overture, concerto, symphony was feeling rather tired.

The challenge

Make our orchestra more appealing to local musicians looking to join an orchestra, and to audiences.

Martin Waldron, of member group Haverhill Singers, explains how they approached changing the group name in order to recruit new members.

Background

We are a non-auditioning choral society of around 50 singers, founded in 1860. The aim of the Society is to perform choral music of many genres in and around Haverhill, Suffolk for two reasons.

What can music groups do to widen grow their audiences? Peter Harrison tells us more about how he and Vivien Harrison, along with other people from the local community, have built Grayshott Concerts into a successful promoting group.

Background

In 2004 they organised a fundraising concert for their local church. On the back of that event they launched Grayshott Concerts, an organisation that puts on approximately six events in their local church each year featuring high quality classical musical performances.

Simon O’Hea from member group The Renaissance Choir explains how he set up Music in Portsmouth (MiP), a local classical music news and listings website designed to help connect music groups and to increase interest in regional events and music group.

You may not necessarily have the time or knowledge that Simon had to set up a resource like this but someone in your group might do. If you haven’t already, ask your members about their skills and interests and whether they could help, or might know a web developer. 

Elizabeth Beroud, Chair of Beckenham Junior Choir (BJC), explains how creative thinking and tiered rewards helped them hit their fundraising targets for an ambitious new commissioning project.

Sharon Moloney of member group Opal Flutes explains how teaming up with another group gave them an opportunity to experience repertoire that would otherwise be off-limits.

Members of Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) explain how a group created to cater for people unable to commit to weekly rehearsals has grown into a flourishing hub of innovation.

Background

The Aldworth Philharmonic is a project-based orchestra in Reading, Berkshire. By that, we mean that we only rehearse shortly before each event we put on, rather than holding regular weekly rehearsals. A typical rehearsal schedule for us is made up of 4 of 5 rehearsal days mainly over the weekends immediately leading before a performance.  

Stephen Huyshe-Shires of promoting member group Sidmouth Concert Society explains how they reversed a decline in membership by investigating the cause and adjusting ticketing options to address the key problem.

Philip Emery, Chair of member group Beckenham Concert Band, and Director of music charity Changing Tunes (London & South East), explains how they approached putting on prison concerts.

In this guide, composers and performers will find a wonderful treasury of sound advice from a wide variety of composers with experience in writing for amateur groups.